An Anthropological Approach to Theology: A Study of John Hick's Theology of Religious Pluralism, Towards Ethical Criteria for a Global Theology of Religion

by Heather Meacock

Overview

Heather Meacock, in An Anthropological Approach to Theology, has compiled an argument, based upon the pluralist beliefs of Professor John Hick, for the revision of traditional Christianity. Hick's pluralist understanding of the theology of religions is influenced by the philosophy of Kant, and his theories about society's moral awareness. Meacock methodically explicates Hick's views while refuting his critics. She claims that some Christian doctrines, such as the Incarnation, lose meaning when interpreted literally, and that Christianity itself must begin to change its self perception to that of one among many world religions. This book will interest students of religion, philosophy, as well as anthropologists interested in religion.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761816904
Publisher:	University Press of America
Publication date:	10/11/2000
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.24(h) x 0.82(d)

About the Author

Heather Meacock is Director of Curriculum at St. Benedict's Preparatory School in London.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 The Anthropological Approach in Relation to the Philosophy and Theology of John Hick Chapter 2 A Critique of Exclusivist and Inclusivist Theology in Relation to Anthropology and Historical Relativism Chapter 3 The Copernican Revolution and its Philosophical and Anthropological Roots: The Development and Consistency of Hick's Theology of Religious Pluralism Chapter 4 The Christological Debate: Hick's Historical, Philosophical and Theological Perspectives Chapter 5 Cognitive, Non Cognitive and Mythological Approaches to the Problem of Oppositions in Religious Truth Claims Chapter 6 Soteriology and Ethics: In Search of Commonality Among World Faiths Chapter 7 Ethical Criteria for a Global Theology of Religions

Editorial Reviews

Meacock views theology as a human creative and imaginative process, subject to historical and cultural conditioning, rather than an exposition of absolute truths encapsulated in doctrine or dogma. She argues that Christianity should welcome Hick's suggestion of systematic moral criticism of its own inherited doctrines, and links his work with that of Paul Knitter and Latin American theologians Jon Sobrino and J. Luis Segundo. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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